Tag: Wanda Group

(Spotlight was released by Open Road Films, a film production company co-founded by AMC Entertainment Holding Inc. and Regal Entertainment …

It’s been 16 years since one of China’s submissions to the Academy Awards was actually nominated for an Oscar. (It was Zhang Yimou’s Hero, which lost out to Nowhere in Africa as the Best Foreign Language Film in 2003.) But that doesn’t mean China has been entirely absent from Hollywood’s glitziest ceremony in recent years.

Although we didn’t see any Chinese filmmakers listed among the 2019 Academy Award nominations, there were nevertheless a number of films in the mix that were produced with investment from China. China’s film industry might require some more time to mature to a level where it can directly compete for a statuette on a regular basis, but in the meantime, funding from Chinese companies has become a different way to realize the “Oscar dream” — and for Chinese companies to influence the global film market.

Back in 2016, while many were cheering Leonardo DiCaprio’s long-awaited Best Actor win for The Revenant, Guangdong-based Alpha Pictures — which also co-produced 2016 film Assassin’s Creed — had some cheering of its own to do as investors in the Oscar-winning film. That same year, Best Film winner Spotlight received high praise from Wang Jianlin, the CEO of Chinese entertainment giant Wanda and a 60% stock share owner (at the time) of AMC Entertainment Holding. (Spotlight was released by Open Road Films, a film production company co-founded by AMC Entertainment Holding Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group in 2011.)

These days, Alpha Entertainment — a pan-entertainment company that owns the famous China-original animated IP Xi Yangyang and Hui Tailang(Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf) — has shifted its interest to other areas it’s more familiar with, such as creating intellectual property, building theme parks, and making toys. Wanda has dramatically reduced its AMC shareholdings in recent years, and sold off its failing film theme parks. In 2017, Open Road Films was bought by Tang Media Partners, purchased with Chinese capital from Tencent.

Overall, Tencent’s film production arm — Tencent Pictures — has fared better in Hollywood. The company co-produced Wonder Woman in 2017 alongside Wanda Media, and also contributed resources to the production of Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Venom (2018), the latter of which came with a suite of clever, China-specific ad campaigns. The next popcorn flick on the Tencent Pictures docket is the as-yet-untitled Terminator reboot, which will feature Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton reprising their roles from the iconic 1984 original.

Tencent rival iQIYI has also gotten in on the Hollywood co-production game — in 2020, iQIYI Pictures will present a new xXx film (the fourth) featuring pop star Jay Chou and TF Boys member Roy Wang alongside franchise anchor Vin Diesel. (Editor’s note: xXx 3, which starred Kris Wu and veteran Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen, pulled in three times its total North America box office on its opening night in China.)

Naturally, Tencent’s chief rival, Alibaba, has also entered the film production fray. Since 2015, Alibaba Pictures Group has invested and co-produced Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (2015), Star Trek Beyond (2016), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016), and Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018). The company’s latest co-production, Green Book, has been nominated for five Academy Awards this year, including a Best Actor nod for Viggo Mortensen and a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Mahershala Ali.

While internet companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu-backed iQIYI become increasingly invested in the overseas film-making industry, traditional film companies face various challenges.

TIK Films, a film-focused subsidiary of Hunan Broadcasting Media Group, announced a 1.5 billion USD collaboration with Lionsgate Films in 2015, through which it has co-produced Now You See Me 2 (2016) and the Oscar-winning La La Land (2016), as well as Hacksaw Ridge (2016). Unfortunately, the collaboration seems to have been suspended after TIK CEO Long Qiuyun resigned in 2017, and was arrested for taking bribes at the beginning of 2018.

Huayi Brothers Media Group got off to a promising start with their co-production of the Academy Award-nominated Molly’sGame, before hitting a hiccup with a high-profile tax evasion scandal last summer.

If we’re focusing exclusively on the Academy’s gold statuette, then Beijing-based Perfect World Pictures is so far leading the pack. Their co-production of Darkest Hour, Phantom Thread, and Victoria & Abdul has won them several Oscars over the last two years. The company also had a hand in Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), The Mummy (2017), and even Fifty Shades Darker (2017) as a partner of Universal Pictures since 2016.

So, is Alibaba or Perfect World winning the overseas Chinese film investment game? Will we see more Chinese co-produced popcorn flicks or Oscar bait in the year to come? Will some unknown black horses emerge victorious in the 2019 box office? Or will a 100% homemade phenomenon, like the just-released sci-fi epic Wandering Earth, prove that China’s domestic film industry can finally produce a crossover hit overseas?

Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc increased its stake in Centurylink Inc (CTL) by 4060% based on its latest 2018Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc bought 434,623 shares as the company’s stock declined 21.82% with the market. The institutional investor held 445,328 shares of the public utilities company at the end of 2018Q3, valued at $9.44 million, up from 10,705 at the end of the previous reported quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc who had been investing in Centurylink Inc for a number of months, seems to be bullish on the $15.72 billion market cap company. The stock increased 3.12% or $0.44 during the last trading session, reaching $14.55. About 12.34M shares traded. CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) has risen 20.92% since February 13, 2018 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 20.92% the S&P500. Some Historical CTL News: 05/04/2018 – CenturyLink Closes Above 50-Day Moving Average: Technicals; 06/03/2018 – InsideSales.com Announces Next-Gen Al Technology for Sales; 25/04/2018 – Globalstar to merge with FiberLight in $1.65 bln deal; 10/05/2018 – CENTURYLINK INC CTL.N : BARCLAYS RAISES TARGET PRICE TO $18 FROM $17; 27/04/2018 – Orlando Magic and CenturyLink Team Up to Recognize Students Through STEM All-Stars Program; 25/04/2018 – GLOBALSTAR INC – FIBERLIGHT IS SEEKING AN AMENDMENT TO ITS $255 MLN SENIOR DEBT FACILITY WITH COBANK; 19/04/2018 – CenturyLink strengthens connections between Boys Town National Hotline and individuals seeking help; 05/05/2018 – About an hour after the doors at CenturyLink Center in Omaha were opened, there were already hundreds of people in line to get into the exhibit; 04/05/2018 – CenturyLink Presenting at JPMorgan Conference May 16; 19/04/2018 – CenturyLink Bond Trading 2x Average; Clients Net Buyers

Baillie Gifford & Company decreased its stake in Jd.Com Inc (JD) by 13.12% based on its latest 2018Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. Baillie Gifford & Company sold 1.58 million shares as the company’s stock declined 22.69% with the market. The institutional investor held 10.43 million shares of the consumer services company at the end of 2018Q3, valued at $272.21M, down from 12.01M at the end of the previous reported quarter. Baillie Gifford & Company who had been investing in Jd.Com Inc for a number of months, seems to be less bullish one the $35.71 billion market cap company. The stock increased 1.65% or $0.4 during the last trading session, reaching $24.68. About 59,899 shares traded. JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) has declined 46.21% since February 13, 2018 and is downtrending. It has underperformed by 46.21% the S&P500. Some Historical JD News: 15/05/2018 – JD.com Invests US$306m in ESR; 24/04/2018 – JOHNSON CONTROLS, JD.COM IN AUTO BATTERY REPLACEMENT MKT PACT; 10/04/2018 – Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet makes China push, on track to hit 2018 sales target; 27/04/2018 – JD.com, Inc. Files Its Annual Report on Form 20-F; 08/05/2018 – JD.COM 1Q NET REV. 100.1B YUAN, EST. 98.99B YUAN; 16/03/2018 – CHINA’S JD.COM JD.O FINANCE UNIT LOOKING TO RAISE ABOUT $1.9 BLN THAT COULD VALUE IT AT MORE THAN $20 BLN; 24/04/2018 – E-Commerce: Global Markets to 2022 – Leading Players are Alibaba, Amazon.com, Apple, JD.com and Walmart – ResearchAndMarkets.com; 18/04/2018 – MEDIA-Tencent, JD.com, Wanda to fund LeEco subsidiaries -Caixin; 29/05/2018 – JD.com tests L4 autonomous truck in US, sources say; 16/04/2018 – JD.COM SAYS FILES TO CLARIFY POTENTIAL CONFUSION CAUSED BY CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE BY CO’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RICHARD QIANGDONG LIU -SEC FILING

Since August 21, 2018, it had 1 insider buy, and 3 selling transactions for $258.86 million activity. POST GLEN F III also sold $3.60M worth of CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) shares. Another trade for 53,164 shares valued at $1.00M was made by Trezise Scott on Tuesday, December 4. On Wednesday, January 16 Temasek Holdings (Private) Ltd sold $254.40M worth of CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) or 16.00 million shares.

Among 23 analysts covering Centurylink Inc. (NYSE:CTL), 8 have Buy rating, 5 Sell and 10 Hold. Therefore 35% are positive. Centurylink Inc. had 68 analyst reports since July 31, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The company was upgraded on Tuesday, January 3 by JP Morgan. The stock of CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) earned “Underweight” rating by Morgan Stanley on Monday, July 18. The rating was initiated by Suntrust Robinson on Tuesday, December 13 with “Hold”. J.P. Morgan maintained CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) rating on Thursday, November 9. J.P. Morgan has “Buy” rating and $26.0 target. The firm has “Hold” rating by RBC Capital Markets given on Friday, July 7. The stock of CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) earned “Neutral” rating by Macquarie Research on Monday, July 11. The firm has “Hold” rating by Cowen & Co given on Wednesday, October 18. As per Friday, December 15, the company rating was upgraded by Barclays Capital. The stock has “Outperform” rating by Oppenheimer on Tuesday, November 8. As per Tuesday, October 13, the company rating was initiated by Cowen & Co.

More notable recent JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) news were published by: Investorplace.com which released: “It Looks Like the Worst Is over, and JD Stock Could Rally Big – Investorplace.com” on January 24, 2019, also Nasdaq.com with their article: “JD.com Releases Corporate Social Responsibility Report; Highlights Sustainability, Innovation and Empowerment – Nasdaq” published on January 21, 2019, Nasdaq.com published: “JD.com, Inc. (JD) Dips More Than Broader Markets: What You Should Know – Nasdaq” on February 06, 2019. More interesting news about JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) were released by: Nasdaq.com and their article: “Fashion startup Zilingo raises $226 mln from Singapore’s Temasek, others – Nasdaq” published on February 11, 2019 as well as Nasdaq.com‘s news article titled: “CytomX Therapeutics Announces Senior Management Appointments – Nasdaq” with publication date: February 05, 2019.

Baillie Gifford & Company, which manages about $92.61 billion US Long portfolio, upped its stake in Baozun Spn Adr 1:1 by 202,443 shares to 933,053 shares, valued at $45.33 million in 2018Q3, according to the filing. It also increased its holding in Petrobras Common Adr (NYSE:PBR) by 1.66 million shares in the quarter, for a total of 18.40 million shares, and has risen its stake in Evolent Health Inc A.

Among 23 analysts covering JD.com (NASDAQ:JD), 12 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 11 Hold. Therefore 52% are positive. JD.com had 63 analyst reports since August 4, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The firm has “Equal-Weight” rating given on Tuesday, November 14 by Morgan Stanley. On Friday, November 6 the stock rating was initiated by Goldman Sachs with “Buy”. Macquarie Research downgraded the shares of JD in report on Tuesday, November 20 to “Neutral” rating. The stock of JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) has “Buy” rating given on Tuesday, January 16 by Stifel Nicolaus. The stock of JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) has “Buy” rating given on Wednesday, August 23 by M Partners. The stock of JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) earned “Buy” rating by Nomura on Tuesday, November 14. Stifel Nicolaus maintained JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD) rating on Friday, August 17. Stifel Nicolaus has “Buy” rating and $48 target. UBS upgraded the stock to “Buy” rating in Monday, October 30 report. The stock has “Buy” rating by TH Capital on Thursday, August 6. The firm earned “Hold” rating on Wednesday, May 9 by J.P. Morgan.

Baupost Group Llc decreased its stake in Amc Entmt Hldgs Inc (AMC) by 45.37% based on its latest 2018Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. Baupost Group Llc sold 2.27M shares as the company’s stock declined 22.52% with the market. The hedge fund held 2.73M shares of the consumer services company at the end of 2018Q3, valued at $55.99M, down from 5.00 million at the end of the previous reported quarter. Baupost Group Llc who had been investing in Amc Entmt Hldgs Inc for a number of months, seems to be less bullish one the $1.45 billion market cap company. The stock increased 2.18% or $0.3 during the last trading session, reaching $14.03. About 578,621 shares traded. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) has risen 7.45% since January 12, 2018 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 7.45% the S&P500. Some Historical AMC News: 04/04/2018 – AMC Entertainment Received First Cinema License to Open and Operate Cinemas in Saudi Arabia; 25/04/2018 – MEDIA-India’s IDFC in talks to sell AMC, broking units – Economic Times; 19/03/2018 – AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Board Elects Wanda Film Group President John Zeng as AMC Board of Directors Chairman Reflectin; 05/04/2018 – AMC to open first commercial cinema in Saudi Arabia in 35 years; 17/05/2018 – AMC Entertainment Presenting at Conference May 23; 25/05/2018 – IDBI BANK APPROVES PLAN TO DIVEST PART STAKE IN AMC UNIT; 16/04/2018 – HDFC SAYS AMC UNIT’S FY18 PROFIT AT INR7.22B VS INR5.5B Y/Y; 07/05/2018 – AMC CEO: NOT CONCERNED THAT EUROPE HAD A SOFT QUARTER; 04/04/2018 – Off-Broadway Smash-Hit ‘Puffs’ Brings a Hilarious Take on the Wizarding World to Moviegoers Nationwide May 9 and 12 Only; 03/05/2018 – AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend of $0.20 Per Share

Among 10 analysts covering Mobile TeleSystems (NYSE:MBT), 5 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 5 Hold. Therefore 50% are positive. Mobile TeleSystems had 20 analyst reports since August 19, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The rating was upgraded by J.P. Morgan on Wednesday, July 26 to “Buy”. The stock of Public Joint-Stock Company Mobile TeleSystems (NYSE:MBT) earned “Equal Weight” rating by Morgan Stanley on Friday, May 5. The firm has “Buy” rating given on Wednesday, August 19 by Citigroup. On Wednesday, July 26 the stock rating was upgraded by JP Morgan to “Overweight”. The firm has “Overweight” rating given on Monday, January 22 by Morgan Stanley. Citigroup upgraded the shares of MBT in report on Monday, November 21 to “Buy” rating. The company was upgraded on Friday, October 21 by Raiffeisen Centrobank. The rating was initiated by Credit Suisse with “Outperform” on Monday, June 20. Standpoint Research downgraded the shares of MBT in report on Friday, April 7 to “Hold” rating. Deutsche Bank downgraded it to “Hold” rating and $10.6 target in Wednesday, December 6 report.

Highvista Strategies Llc, which manages about $3.88B and $214.42M US Long portfolio, decreased its stake in Transdigm Group Inc (NYSE:TDG) by 2,300 shares to 12,730 shares, valued at $4.74M in 2018Q3, according to the filing. It also reduced its holding in Amphenol Corp New (NYSE:APH) by 3,200 shares in the quarter, leaving it with 5,600 shares, and cut its stake in Dxc Technology Co.

Baupost Group Llc, which manages about $29.88B and $13.06 billion US Long portfolio, upped its stake in Tesla Inc (Prn) by 50.00 million shares to 300.00M shares, valued at $308.55 million in 2018Q3, according to the filing. It also increased its holding in Mckesson Corp (NYSE:MCK) by 548,000 shares in the quarter, for a total of 2.18M shares, and has risen its stake in Tribune Media Co.

Among 18 analysts covering AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC), 11 have Buy rating, 1 Sell and 6 Hold. Therefore 61% are positive. AMC Entertainment had 74 analyst reports since July 22, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. M Partners upgraded the shares of AMC in report on Wednesday, July 22 to “Buy” rating. On Thursday, April 26 the stock rating was maintained by FBR Capital with “Buy”. The rating was upgraded by Wedbush on Thursday, June 21 to “Buy”. The stock of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) earned “Buy” rating by Wedbush on Wednesday, May 2. The firm has “Neutral” rating by B. Riley & Co given on Wednesday, March 30. The firm has “Outperform” rating by Credit Suisse given on Tuesday, March 15. The rating was maintained by FBR Capital with “Outperform” on Tuesday, May 9. The rating was initiated by Loop Capital on Wednesday, August 24 with “Buy”. M Partners downgraded AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) rating on Friday, September 14. M Partners has “Neutral” rating and $21 target. On Tuesday, November 7 the stock rating was maintained by Wedbush with “Buy”.

MEGVII, the owner of facial recognition developer Face++, is considering an initial public offering in Hong Kong that could net as much as US$1 billion, people familiar with the matter said.

Megvii is weighing an IPO to raise between US$500 million and US$1 billion with Hong Kong as a destination, the people said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. Deliberations are at an early stage and no final decision has been made as the details of the plans could still change, the people said.

The Beijing-based firm, backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, joins rival artificial intelligence outfits raising funds to help fulfil the country’s ambition of leading the field by 2030.

Market voices on:

Megvii is competing with the world’s largest AI startup SenseTime Group Ltd – also backed by Alibaba – as the two provide facial recognition technology to financial, retail, mobile and government clients. SenseTime itself is said to be in discussions to raise about US$2 billion.

Among 5 analysts covering AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC), 4 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 1 Hold. Therefore 80% are positive. AMC Entertainment had 5 analyst reports since June 19, 2018 according to SRatingsIntel. On Thursday, June 21 the stock rating was upgraded by Benchmark to “Buy”. The stock of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) has “Buy” rating given on Tuesday, June 19 by FBR Capital. Wedbush upgraded the shares of AMC in report on Thursday, June 21 to “Buy” rating. The company was downgraded on Friday, September 14 by M Partners.

More notable recent AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) news were published by: Seekingalpha.com which released: “BAML still cautious on AMC Entertainment” on November 12, 2018, also Fool.com with their article: “Is AMC Entertainment a Buy After Its Recent Sell-Off?” published on November 15, 2018, Fool.com published: “Will AMC’s Run Continue When It Reports Earnings?” on November 07, 2018. More interesting news about AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) were released by: Fool.com and their article: “As AMC Stomps MoviePass, How Will Regal Entertainment Respond?” published on November 18, 2018 as well as Bizjournals.com‘s news article titled: “Charlotte theater adds enhanced Dolby Cinema experience” with publication date: November 20, 2018.

Among 3 analysts covering BankUnited (NYSE:BKU), 2 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 1 Hold. Therefore 67% are positive. BankUnited had 5 analyst reports since July 31, 2018 according to SRatingsIntel. On Tuesday, September 18 the stock rating was downgraded by Morgan Stanley to “Equal-Weight”. On Tuesday, July 31 the stock rating was maintained by Morgan Stanley with “Overweight”. BMO Capital Markets maintained it with “Outperform” rating and $40 target in Monday, November 5 report. The stock of BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU) has “Overweight” rating given on Wednesday, October 3 by Barclays Capital. The company was maintained on Thursday, October 25 by BMO Capital Markets.

BankUnited, Inc. operates as the bank holding firm for BankUnited, National Association that provides a range of banking services to small and medium sized businesses, and individual and corporate clients in the United States. The company has market cap of $3.45 billion. The firm offers deposit products, including checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. It has a 5.31 P/E ratio. The Company’s loans portfolio includes small business loans, commercial real estate loans, equipment loans and leases, term loans, formula loans, municipal and non-profit loans and leases, commercial and mortgage warehouse lines of credit, letters of credit, and consumer loans, as well as residential loans.